By Kim Kyoungwha Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Gold, little changed in Asia, may advance on speculation the lowest prices in almost three months may entice investors to increase their holdings. Gold for immediate delivery rose as much as 0.2 percent to $1,064.76 an ounce and traded at $1,063.95 at 9:04 a.m. in Singapore. The metal fell as low as $1,044.85 an ounce on Feb. 5, its lowest since Nov. 2. “We expect the gold price to further stabilize due to the current buying interest,” Eugen Weinberg, head of commodity research with Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt, wrote in a note to clients. “The firm dollar is likely to prevent the gold price from rising sharply.” The U.S. currency traded near an eight-month high against the euro today after European Union President Herman Van Rompuy yesterday said the Feb. 11 summit will focus on long-term economic strategy. He made no direct reference to Greece’s budget deficit, the largest in the region. Gold may average about $1,250 an ounce this year, down from a previous estimate of $1,388, Societe Generale said in a report yesterday, citing weakening momentum in purchases by exchange- traded funds. Silver may average $19.75 an ounce in 2010, down from a previous forecast of $21.83, the bank said. Gold holdings in the SPDR Gold Trust, the biggest exchange- traded fund backed by bullion, were unchanged at 1,106.38 metric tons yesterday, according to the company’s Web site. Silver increased 0.3 percent to $15.045 an ounce, platinum added 0.2 percent to $1,478.25 an ounce and palladium gained 0.3 percent at $407.88 an ounce.

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